I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today!

uplanderguy · March 29

Good question. I wouldn't doubt it a bit.

I think I had posted a pic maybe a couple years ago, of an early fintail out at the Stude Proving Ground to show dealers who were out there for (I think) the '60 model year 'Dealer Driveaway'.

I have read a couple times in articles how only "the biggest and best" Stude dealers were 'chosen' to sell M-B, but as much as I think of the family who had the dealer in my hometown, it's apparent I think that if you were willing to buy signage, tools, and send one or more of your mechanics to M-B school (which was in NYC according to my friend), you got the franchise.

explorerx4 · March 29

The cars direction in the photo is reversed from how the cars run on the track.
They are facing uphill.

fintail · March 29

uplanderguy said:
Good question. I wouldn't doubt it a bit.

I think I had posted a pic maybe a couple years ago, of an early fintail out at the Stude Proving Ground to show dealers who were out there for (I think) the '60 model year 'Dealer Driveaway'.

I have read a couple times in articles how only "the biggest and best" Stude dealers were 'chosen' to sell M-B, but as much as I think of the family who had the dealer in my hometown, it's apparent I think that if you were willing to buy signage, tools, and send one or more of your mechanics to M-B school (which was in NYC according to my friend), you got the franchise.

I know not all MB dealers at the time had a Stude link, but I think most did. At local MBCA events I have attended, a dealer was often on hand showing a new model, I suspect it was the same then. I remember that proving ground piece, I think maybe even a video?

A Stude dealer needed to be careful accepting that franchise, as it wouldn't work in all markets, MB was still an offbeat kind of niche choice. But in a larger population area and/or college town (as the more workaday sedans had that kind of image), it could work and in some cases the MB dealer survived after Stude.

uplanderguy · March 29

I believe the building is gone, but in Barberton, OH (basically, a blue-collar Akron suburb), there was a Packard dealer about five miles from a much-larger Stude dealer, who got the M-B franchise. The larger Stude dealer did not, which may have been his decision but also may have been a Corporate call to help the smaller Barberton dealer. Newspapers.com search this morning in late '57 shows a big ad in the Akron paper saying that the Barberton dealer, Mentzer Motors, got chosen to sell M-B. By that time the ad showed they were only selling Packard and M-B. I gotta think not selling Studes hurt--even in late '57 and '58. My late friend who worked at the larger Stude dealer I mentioned, said Mentzer was a good dealer but quite small.

Someone at one of our Ohio Region SDC meets at least a decade ago, at an auction bought Mentzer's model year 1963 Studebaker dealer agreement (not sure when they picked up Stude, but my guess is '59). They were expected to sell, or exceed, 25 new cars and 2 new trucks for '63, pretty sad, really.

fintail · March 29

uplanderguy said:
I believe the building is gone, but in Barberton, OH (basically, a blue-collar Akron suburb), there was a Packard dealer about five miles from a much-larger Stude dealer, who got the M-B franchise. The larger Stude dealer did not, which may have been his decision but also may have been a Corporate call to help the smaller Barberton dealer. Newspapers.com search this morning in late '57 shows a big ad in the Akron paper saying that the Barberton dealer, Mentzer Motors, got chosen to sell M-B. By that time the ad showed they were only selling Packard and M-B. I gotta think not selling Studes hurt--even in late '57 and '58. My late friend who worked at the larger Stude dealer I mentioned, said Mentzer was a good dealer but quite small.

Someone at one of our Ohio Region SDC meets at least a decade ago, at an auction bought Mentzer's model year 1963 Studebaker dealer agreement (not sure when they picked up Stude, but my guess is '59). They were expected to sell, or exceed, 25 new cars and 2 new trucks for '63, pretty sad, really.

I'd have thought having the Lark and later cars would maybe be the one time a dealer would want Stude - they might not have been a top 5 seller but they sold.

I know we have mentioned it, the dealer where the fintail was sold previously handled Packard. I think the old standalone MB dealer in Seattle was the same, at least the building it was based in had Packard going way back (1910 or before). This makes sense in my eyes, as in a way I see MB by the later 60s or early 70s kind of filling the segment Packard occupied, especially prewar.

uplanderguy · March 29

Here's a color video of the '60 preview and Dealer Driveaway out at the Proving Ground on Rt. 2 (now owned by Navistar and the red brick house looks identical today). I was in the house a couple years ago--it's now operated by St. Joseph County Parks and the old Proving Ground woods are now called Bendix Woods.

I see 'Benzes at 3:32, 5:22 to 6:25, and 10:25.

This is probably late summer '59.

My late friend Ed D. who worked at the Akron dealer as a young man, said he was there for this, although we couldn't find him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fecPLkoOlQ&t=665s

fintail · March 29

Yep I think that's the video I recall. Pretty hardtop Adenauer there. The fintail on blackwalls is a 220, a single carb car. The whitewall car is a 220S or 220SE dual carb or FI respectively. Also around 10:20 is an Adenauer cabrio.

uplanderguy · March 29

I think the black fintail on whitewalls is particularly sharp. Even with small fins and a modestly-wrap around windshield, the styling has aged well IMHO.

I think at around 3:50, the differences between Studebakers and a '59 full-size Pontiac are almost comical, no matter your preference, LOL.

benjaminh · March 29

Slide from 1954. 1952 Oldsmobile.

stickguy · March 29

Saw this online. Couldn’t figure out where to post it so picked here!

explorerx4 · March 29

Jmonroe1 pulled over to take a picture of the PA sign.

fintail · March 29

uplanderguy said:
I think the black fintail on whitewalls is particularly sharp. Even with small fins and a modestly-wrap around windshield, the styling has aged well IMHO.

I think at around 3:50, the differences between Studebakers and a '59 full-size Pontiac are almost comical, no matter your preference, LOL.

It was a modern restrained design in 1959 - typical for MB it lasted a long time and was quite dated looking by the mid 60s, but maybe had enough formality to make it seem acceptable.

Nice Pontiac too, flat top - a car like that was exactly what many Lark buyers didn't want, no doubt.

fintail · March 29

On the Camry note, saw another this afternoon, making some kind of delivery - it stopped across the street but I couldn't see enough of it to be sure, however it looked like an 83-84, in very "survivor" condition, but straight enough and was moving along fine.

explorerx4 · March 29

Here's a 2 minute report on the Piston Power Show.
The venue is huge and it seems I missed a quite a few cars in my wandering it
George Conrad has been a club member for many years.
We are going to get a members only tour of his collection at the end of May.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKazQSzelo8

uplanderguy · March 30

A bit sad that no more events at the I-X Center. I'd been to a handful of Auto Shows there since the '80's.

andre1969 · March 30

I always thought of '92-96 as "Peak Camry" as well. While it was a great car on its own merit, one thing that might have helped its case, is that the Accord seemed to take a slight step backward for 1994-97.

My favorite generation of Camry though, is the '87-91. It's not the most exciting thing in the world, but I think it has a nice, clean, well-proportioned look to it. It's been ages since I've been in one, but I remember the interior being pretty nice, and it was comfortable up front, although with the seat set for my comfort, cramped in the back.

I think the '83-86 Camry is a significant milestone though. In my mind at least, it's the first Japanese car that I think of as a "true" compact, in the domestic sense. Basically, a car that can seat four adults in reasonable comfort, and could be a good alternative to a midsize. Sort of like an '80's incarnation of a Dart or Valiant.

Even though there might have been larger offerings, like the Cressida and 810/Maxima, they weren't as space-efficient.

What would most people consider "Peak Accord," I wonder. I could see the case made for both the '90-93 and the '98-02.

tjc78 · March 30

98-02 just seemed to do everything right... but the 90-93 is when (IMO) it became a true mid-size and the look is just so clean.

An EX in the right combo still looks great today.

Michaell · March 30

My folks had an '89 Camry - in that ubiquitous light blue color. They bought it used in '91 or '92, and drove it until 2002, when they replaced it with the Sonata that my son now drives.

First wife and I had a '92 Accord LX, dark blue with a light blue interior. Bought through a local dealer with one of those "one only at this price" ads that the LA Times would run every Friday morning.

We split up not long after getting the car, and I ended up moving to Denver shortly after that, and I picked up a leftover '93 Accord DX - burgundy with grey interior. 5 speed stick, no options - I drove that car for 5+ years and about 60,000 miles before trading it in. I'd agree that the 90-93 era was "peak Accord".

texases · March 30

I like the '92-'96 Camry, it seemed like the benchmark for mid-sizers. It also was the basis of my '96 ES300, which shared most everything underneath but not a single body panel or much of the interior with it. CandD commented that the ES benefitted from the great starting point provided by the Camry.

uplanderguy · March 30

At a rally Saturday, this couple apparently wants a Mercedes!

imidazol97 · March 30

@uplanderguy said:
At a rally Saturday, this couple apparently wants a Mercedes!

Was Janice there?

uplanderguy · March 30

Janis—her friends all drive Porsches, she must make amends!

roadburner · March 30

I saw two very nice Fox body Mustangs today; a maroon GT convertible and a gorgeous dark green LX 5.0 hatchback. The only thing that I didn’t like on the LX were the chromed five spoke wheels- they would have to go, preferably with their non-chromed counterparts.

explorerx4 · March 30

I saw this car driving by the dealer today and can't believe how much they are still going for(2012 Boss 302).
https://www.autonationfordwestlake.com/used/Ford/2012-Ford-Mustang-e80978dfac182b044d8bf2dde643ec6f.htm

sda · March 30

@roadburner

https://youtu.be/vmwwSdKcWLc?si=Y9r6UG828FVMBPnF

roadburner · March 30

explorerx4 said:
I saw this car driving by the dealer today and can't believe how much they are still going for(2012 Boss 302).
https://www.autonationfordwestlake.com/used/Ford/2012-Ford-Mustang-e80978dfac182b044d8bf2dde643ec6f.htm

I may have mentioned how back in 2014 I went to look at a 2013 Boss 302. I found it on Cars,com at a Ford dealer- School Bus Yellow. I could tell from the photos that it had an cold air intake, but my research had showed that the CAI was well regarded in the Boss 302 community. I was covering a docket in the county where the dealer was located so I drove over as soon as I was finished. I was pretty excited and my wife was good with me buying it. The disappointment hit home when I saw that the stock exhaust had been replaced. I wanted the OEM exhaust because it had side exhausts that could be fitted with electric cutouts. To add insult to injury, the two piece driveshaft had been replaced so the car would be a better drag racer- or so the salesman told me.
He was honestly surprised that I had absolutely no interest in taking it for a test drive...

roadburner · March 30

sda said:
@roadburner https://youtu.be/vmwwSdKcWLc?si=Y9r6UG828FVMBPnF

I drove one of the last 1600s sold in the US- a 1971. Very few were sold once the 2002 was introduced. I think it would still cruise at north of 90 mph.
I remember lusting after this unique 1600 when I found this article in a C&D back Issue:

It was pretty quick for a 1967 four cylinder- running the quarter in 15.9 seconds.

fintail · March 30

Another vintage-ish day here today, on the drive home saw a Tercel 4x4 wagon, 86-89 Accord, early 90s Cavalier, then on foot saw some regulars of that jogging route - BMW E34 and Topaz (forgot to look for the Alliance convertible).

stickguy · March 30

that BMW has one of my pet peeves, that I would have to change day 1. I can't stand single spoke steering wheels.

texases · March 31

stickguy said:
that BMW has one of my pet peeves, that I would have to change day 1. I can't stand single spoke steering wheels.

You mean this

stickguy · March 31

Nobody copies the French.

Michaell · March 31

stickguy said:
Nobody copies the French.

...and the French copy nobody.

explorerx4 · April 1

Pretty nice 92 Caddy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOC4h6x4mcI&t=709s

thebean · April 2

I saw this CUV today in my gym’s parking lot. I should know the brand, but I’m stumped. It was sterilized of all branding except the logo. Can anyone help a forgetful senior citizen out here? Thanks.

explorerx4 · April 2

Looks like a Kia Sportage to me.

thebean · April 2

It does, but the logo threw me. Maybe a DIY thing? Thanks.

explorerx4 · April 2

The logo on the back confused me too. I don't know what the badge is.

fintail · April 2

Is that a prior KDM Kia logo?

On the highway today saw a 92-95 Taurus SHO and a late 70s Bronco.

ab348 · April 3

fintail said:
Is that a prior KDM Kia logo?

A web search revealed that the oval badge is what was used in the local Korean market. Probably more successful than the backwards "N" they have adopted for North America.

andre1969 · April 3

Out running around yesterday, I came across this old circa mid-70's Dodge van...

Seeing it really brought back past memories, of when vans were a common sight, although probably longer ago than I think. Our neighbors had a '76 Dodge passenger van. Sometimes in the morning, if it was raining, they'd drive down to the end of their driveway and let all of us kids pile into it, to wait for the school bus.

sda · April 3

Here is one for @tjc78

https://youtu.be/iwbm8Iopqu0?si=mvfV_kae_XkaCCn0

tjc78 · April 3

Certainly don't make cars that simple anymore. It's pretty amazing how much they stripped that car down, My dad had an 87 ES Turbo and it was very well equipped compared to that one. My Aunt had a 94 with the Mitsu V6, it was pretty quick for the time. Hers was hard loaded too, power seat and Infinity stereo, Not many were built like that. Of course it was hunter green over beige with gold trim.

stickguy · April 3

the Tahoe behind the van is no spring chicken either.

fintail · April 3

I recall my aunt and uncle had a base Sundance to tow behind their leviathan motorhome in the early 90s. I don't remember much about the car, it was a sedan and I rode in it once, in the back. I called it "the dinghy" and it was spartan, but I think one also knew it was meant to be at that price.

gsemike · April 3

I love watching old shows for the car spotting, but never in my life have I ever heard of Hazel.

andre1969 said:
Out running around yesterday, I came across this old circa mid-70's Dodge van...
Seeing it really brought back past memories, of when vans were a common sight, although probably longer ago than I think. Our neighbors had a '76 Dodge passenger van. Sometimes in the morning, if it was raining, they'd drive down to the end of their driveway and let all of us kids pile into it, to wait for the school bus.

I assume you're in the outer boroughs? There are all sorts on interesting outer borough cars that aren't particularly cared for but never really used much and hence become interesting.

If I still lived in Queens I'd probably have started an interesting cars of the outer boroughs page by now

andre1969 · April 3

gsemike said:
I assume you're in the outer boroughs? There are all sorts on interesting outer borough cars that aren't particularly cared for but never really used much and hence become interesting.

I'm actually in a small town called Crownsville, MD. It looks like the boonies at a quick glance, but I'm maybe 10 minutes from Annapolis, 30 minutes from the DC border, and maybe 25 minutes from the Baltimore border, depending on traffic.

That van was in Silver Spring, Maryland, which is close to DC. I don't get out that way very often, but yesterday had ventured out to hang out with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. I had some friends who lived close to that area, back in the early 90's. They rented a 1 bedroom apartment for like $450-500/mo...AND it was in a safe neighborhood! I'm guessing those days are gone with the wind!

thebean · April 3

Thanks @ab348. I’m not sure how it got to the far north Dallas suburbs, but I’ll never know.

gsemike · April 4

Couple interesting sightings. I don't know much of the Winnebago world but would have to think this VW based conversion has to be rare.
Also these 4DSC Maximas were once ubiquitous but a fairly rare site now. This showed signed of a repaint but appeared pretty clean

uplanderguy · April 4

I'm not a fan of a lot of import styling, but always liked that era Maxima. Simple lines and nicely proportioned IMHO.

You heard it here!

thebean · April 4

Looks like a lot of bro’s parking their Jeeps in the lot before going in to pump iron. 😁

I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today!

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